Hitachi Data Systems Names Michael Walkey Senior Vice President of Global Volume Channels; Storage Leader Demonstrates Commitment to Small and Medium Enterprises with Appointment of Dynamic, Veteran Executive.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Hitachi Data Systems Corporation, the leading provider of Application Optimized Storage(TM) solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT) (TOKYO:6501), today announced the appointment of Michael Walkey as senior vice president of Global Volume Channels. Walkey joins Hitachi Data Systems from Flextronics, the global contract electronics manufacturer, where he served as vice president and general manager, Reverse Logistics and Repair.

"Mike brings a customer-centric mindset to his new role," said Scott Genereux, executive vice president and general manager, Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Support. "With his background in logistics, supply chain management and services, Mike will help demonstrate Hitachi Data Systems' commitments to the small and medium enterprise customer by enabling us to bring more products to market that are more suitable for this segment."

Before joining Flextronics, Walkey served in senior executive positions at Internet retailer Buy.com and technology distributor Ingram Micro, where he was vice president of product management.

Hitachi Data Systems Global Volume Channels operation is the company's primary conduit to the ever-increasing number of small and medium enterprise (SME) customers. Walkey's new position builds on his prior experience at Ingram Micro where he was responsible for a $6 billion division encompassing all systems OEMs, including Apple, IBM, Compaq, HP, Hitachi, and Toshiba. Ingram Micro, a key partner in Hitachi Data Systems' global volume channel initiative, distributes the company's next generation, channel-optimized TagmaStore(R) Workgroup Modular Storage model WMS100, Adaptable Modular Storage model AMS200, and Plug-and-play SAN Kits compatible with Microsoft Simple SAN for Windows Server(TM) 2003 initiative to its vast reseller network.

"Hitachi Data Systems sets the global benchmark for storage solutions and I am pleased to join this world-class team," said Walkey. "Business continuity, replication, and archival needs transcend the size of the enterprise. Combining my experience with Hitachi Data Systems' recognized storage technology leadership will accelerate our efforts to build and expand this important channel."

This announcement comes at a time when Hitachi Data Systems is experiencing very strong growth, fueled by sales of solutions based on the company's revolutionary intelligent virtual storage controllers, the Hitachi TagmaStore Universal Storage Platform and Hitachi TagmaStore Network Storage Controller, rapidly growing HiCommand(R) storage management software suite, and newly strengthened midrange offerings. The channel-optimized TagmaStore Adaptable Modular Storage and Workgroup Modular Storage product lines feature high-end functionality -- Logical Cache Partitioning and Virtual Storage Ports with secure Host Storage Domains -- not available on many other midrange systems, to help IT organizations optimize the performance of and provide secure data access to vital business applications, such as Microsoft Exchange, ERP, CRM, or databases.

About Hitachi Data Systems

Hitachi Data Systems leverages global R&D resources to develop storage solutions built on industry-leading technology with the performance, availability and scalability to maximize customers' ROI and minimize their risk. By focusing on the customer's perspective as we apply the best hardware, software, and services from Hitachi and our partners, we uniquely satisfy our customers' business needs.

With approximately 2,900 employees, Hitachi Data Systems conducts business through direct and indirect channels in the public, government and private sectors in over 170 countries and regions. Its customers include more than 50 percent of Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.hds.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE:HIT) (TOKYO:6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 356,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2005 (ended March 31, 2006) consolidated sales totaled 9,464 billion yen ($80.9 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

(C) 2006, Hitachi Data Systems Corporation. Hitachi Data Systems is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a trademark and service mark of Hitachi, Ltd. HiCommand is a registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. TagmaStore and Application Optimized Storage are trademarks of Hitachi Data Systems Corporation. All other trade names, trademarks, and service marks used herein are the rightful property of their respective owners.